Display device

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of the invention provides a display device having a common electrode and pixel electrodes disposed in an insulating state on one of a pair of substrates between which a liquid crystal layer is held, in which each of the pixel electrodes includes a plurality of electrode portions disposed in parallel with one another, each of the electrode portions has a flat surface shape in which each of the electrode portions is bent approximately at a central portion in an extension direction, and each of the pixel electrodes also includes a bridge portion through which corresponding ones of the electrode portions are connected to one another in the bending portion.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese PatentApplication JP 2007-212569 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Aug. 17,2007, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularlyto a display device which drives liquid crystal molecules by using atransverse electric field mode.

2. Description of the Related Art

Transverse electric field modes which liquid crystal display deviceshave attract attention as liquid crystal modes with each of which a wideviewing angle, and a high contrast are realized. An aperture ratio and atransmittance are further improved in one of those liquid crystal modes,especially, a Fringe Field Switching (FFS) mode than in anIn-Plane-Switching (IPS) mode.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view showing an example of a main portion of aliquid crystal display device having the FFS mode. As shown in thefigure, in the liquid crystal display device having the FFS mode, aplurality of scanning lines 203 and a plurality of signal lines 205 arewired in a matrix on a substrate 201 on a drive side. Also, pixelelectrodes 209 are provided in intersection portions in which theplurality of scanning lines 203 and the plurality of signal lines 205intersect with each other, respectively. Each of the pixel electrodes209 is formed in sinking comb-like shape in which a plurality ofelectrode portions 209 a extend along each of the signal lines 205 (oreach of the scanning lines 203) by performing the patterning.

In addition, although an illustration is omitted here, a commonelectrode is provided in a state of being insulated from the pixelelectrodes 209 through an insulating film below the pixel electrodes 209on the substrate 201. This common electrode is provided at the samelevel as that of each of the scanning lines 203, or in an upper layerwith respect to the scanning lines 203 and the signal lines 205. Thus,this common electrode is provided over the entire surface within atleast a pixel “a”.

It is desirable for further improving the view angle characteristics inthe liquid crystal display device which has the FFS mode and which isstructured in the manner described above, it is advantageous to adopt amulti-domain structure in which the liquid crystal molecules “m” aredividedly aligned. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, each of theelectrode portions 209 a is bent in different directions at a centralportion along the extension direction, Thus, each of the pixels “a” isdivided into two regions in which the corresponding ones of theelectrode portions 209 a extend in different directions. It ispreferable to have mirror symmetry with a region boundary portion as asymmetric axis in terms of the optical characteristics. As a result, theliquid crystal molecules “m” are driven in different rotationaldirection in the two regions into which the pixel “a” is divided. Thus,the viewing angle characteristics (color shift) in a phase of halftonedisplay or white display are improved. This technique, for example, isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,809,789.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, although the viewing angle characteristics were certainlyimproved in the liquid crystal display device having the FFSmulti-domain structure as described above, the following new problem wasdiscovered.

That is to say, when an outside pressure (such as finger tough) isapplied to a display surface of the liquid crystal display device in astate in which white is displayed by applying a voltage acrosscorresponding one of the pixel electrodes and the common electrode, aso-called reverse twist phenomenon is caused in which the liquid crystalmolecules are rotated in a direction reverse to the electric fielddirection within the pixel. It was found out that the reverse twistphenomenon becomes a factor causing display heterogeneity (hereinafterreferred to as “finger touch heterogeneity”), and does not become normalagain in a naturally uncontrolled state.

In the light of the foregoing, it is therefore desirable to provide aliquid crystal display device which is capable of causing finger touchheterogeneity to disappear in a naturally uncontrolled state in atransverse electric field multi-domain structure.

In order to attain the desire described above, according to anembodiment of the present invention, there is provided a display devicehaving a common electrode and pixel electrodes disposed in an insulatingstate on one of a pair of substrates between which a liquid crystallayer is held, in which each of the pixel electrodes includes aplurality of electrode portions disposed in parallel with one another,each of the electrode portions has a flat surface shape in which each ofthe electrode portions is bent approximately at a central portion in anextension direction, and each of the pixel electrodes also includes abridge portion through which corresponding ones of the electrodeportions are connected to one another in the bending portion.

The display device having the structure as described above is a displaydevice having a transverse electric field mode and including a pluralityof electrode portions disposed in parallel with one another. Moreover,the display device has a multi-domain structure in which the liquidcrystal molecules are driven in different rotational directions becauseeach of the electrode portions has the flat surface shape in which eachof the electrode portions is bent approximately at the central portionin the extension direction. In such a structure, especially, each of thepixel electrodes includes the bridge portion through which thecorresponding ones of the electrode portions are connected to oneanother in the bending portion in which each of the electric portions isbent. As a result, as will be described in embodiments later, thefollowing fact is found out. That is to say, even when the reverse twistphenomenon is caused by applying an outside pressure (such as fingertouch) to the display surface of the display device in the state inwhich the liquid crystal layer is oriented by applying a voltage acrosscorresponding one of the pixel electrodes and the common electrode, theorientation state of the liquid crystal layer becomes normal again inthe naturally uncontrolled state, thereby solving the displayheterogeneity due to the reverse twist phenomenon.

As set forth hereinabove, according to the present invention, it ispossible to solve the display heterogeneity due to the reverse twistphenomenon in the naturally uncontrolled state in the liquid crystaldisplay device having the transverse electric field multi-domainstructure. This leads to that it is possible to enhance the displaycharacteristics in the liquid crystal display device. In particular, inthe liquid crystal display device provided with a touch panel function,the outside pressure (such as the finger touch) is applied to thedisplay surface of the liquid crystal display device. Therefore, thepresent invention is applied to the liquid crystal display deviceprovided with the touch panel function, thereby making it possible tocontinue the display in which the influence by the outside pressure isreduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view explaining a structure of a displaydevice according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on line A-A′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a schematic top plan view explaining a structure of a displaydevice according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3B to 3D are respectively enlarged views of main portions of apixel electrode shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top plan view explaining a structure of a displaydevice according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view explaining a structure of a displaydevice according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a television set as an applicationexample to which the present invention is applied;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are respectively a perspective view of a digital cameraas another application example, when viewed from a front side, to whichthe present invention is applied, and a perspective view of the digitalcamera as the another application example, when viewed from a back side,to which the present invention is applied;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a notebook-size personal computeras still another application example to which the present invention isapplied;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a video camera, as yet anotherapplication example, to which the present invention is applied;

FIGS. 10A to 10G are respectively a front view of mobile terminalequipment, for example, a mobile phone as a further application example,in an open state, to which the present invention is applied, a sideelevational view thereof, a front view thereof in a close state, a leftside elevational view thereof, a right side elevational view thereof, atop plan view thereof, and a bottom view thereof; and

FIG. 11 is a top plan view showing an example of a main portion of aliquid crystal display device having an FFS mode in the related art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view, of a drive substrate side for threepixels, explaining a structure of a display device according to a firstembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross sectional viewtaken on line A-A′ of FIG. 1. It is noted that an illustration of aninsulating film, an alignment film, and the like is omitted in theschematic top plan view of FIG. 1.

A display device 1 a shown in these figures is a liquid crystal displaydevice having an FFS multi-domain structure. A plurality of scanninglines 5 are wired in a horizontal direction at a first level on a driveside substrate 3 having optical transparency for a visible light. Inaddition, a gate insulating film 7 is formed on the drive side substrate3 so as to cover the plurality of scanning lines 5.

A semiconductor layer 9 is formed on the gate insulating film 7 to havea predetermined pattern so as to overlap in position corresponding oneof the scanning lines 5. In addition, a plurality of signal lines 11 arewired on the gate insulating film 7 in a direction vertical to each ofthe scanning lines 5. Also, pixels “a” are set so as to correspond tointersection portions, respectively, in which the scanning lines 5 andthe signal lines 11 intersect with each other. It is assumed that thesemiconductor layer 9 described above is formed to have a predeterminedpattern every pixel “a”.

In each of the pixels “a” on the gate insulating film 7, source/drainelectrodes 11 sd which are laminated on both ends of the semiconductorlayer 9 are provided in both sides between which corresponding one ofthe scanning lines 5 is held. In this case, the corresponding one of thescanning lines 5 is used as a gate electrode. In such a manner, a thinfilm transistor Tr is structured.

It is assumed that these source/drain electrodes 11 sd are formed at thesame level as that of each of the signal lines 11, and one of thesesource/drain electrodes 11 sd extends from the corresponding one of thesignal lines 11.

In addition, an interlayer insulating film 13 is formed on the gateinsulating film 17 so as to cover such a thin film transistor Tr. It isassumed that this interlayer insulating film 13 has a thickness enoughto allow the insulating property between the signal lines 11 and thesource/drain electrodes 11 sd as the lower layer and the upper layer tobe reliably realized.

A common electrode 15 made of a transparent conductive material (such asan ITO or an IZO) is formed in solid film-like shape on the interlayerinsulating film 13 so as to be common to all the pixels “a”. In such amanner, the common electrode 15 is disposed for the scanning lines 5 andthe signal lines 11 through the thick interlayer insulating film 13,thereby obtaining a structure in which the load capacitances of thescanning lines 5 and the signal lines 11 are prevented increasing.Moreover, the common electrode 15 is formed in solid film-like shape,thereby obtaining the structure in which the enhancement of the apertureratio of the pixel is expected. However, it is assumed that an openingportion 15 a through which an upper portion of the source/drainelectrode 11 sd, on the side of not being connected to the correspondingone of the signal lines 11 of the source/drain electrodes 11 sd in eachof the pixels “a” is formed in the common electrode 15.

Also, a pixel electrode 19 having the characteristic structure of thepresent invention is provided in each of the pixels “a” on the commonelectrode 15 through an insulating film 17. It is assumed that the pixelelectrode 19 is made of a transparent conductive material (such as anITO or an IZO) is connected to the corresponding one of the source/drainelectrodes 11 sd through a connection hole 17 a formed in each of theinsulating film 17 and the interlayer insulating film 13 within thecorresponding one of the opening portions 15 a of the common electrode15.

As a result, the thin film transistors Tr for one scanning line areselected by an electrical signal inputted to corresponding one of thescanning lines 5, and a video signal written from the corresponding oneof the signal lines 11 through the thin film transistors Tr thusselected is supplied to corresponding ones of the pixel electrodes 19.

Each of the pixel electrodes 19 is a so-called sinking comb shaped pixelelectrode, and has a plurality of electrode portions 19 a extending inparallel along each of the signal lines 11. In addition, the displaydevice 1 a has a multi-domain structure. Thus, it is assumed that eachof the electrode portions 19 a has a flat surface shape in which each ofthe electrode portions 19 a is bent in different directions at a centralportion in the extension direction, and each of the pixels “a” isdivided into two regions in which each of the electrode portions 19 aextends in different directions. Also, it is preferable that a boundarythrough which bending portions of the electrode portions 19 a areconnected to one another is made a symmetric axis φ parallel with eachof the scanning lines 5, and each, of the electrode portions 19 a,extending in the different directions in the two regions has a mirrorsymmetry structure. In addition, it is preferable that angles θ1 and θ2of each of the electrode portions 19 a made with a line x vertical toeach of the scanning lines 5 are approximately equal to each other. Inthis case, it is assumed that, for example, each of the angles θ1 and θ2falls within the range of 0.5° to 45°, preferably, in the range of 2° to30°.

In addition, the structural feature of the pixel electrode 19 in thefirst embodiment is that the pixel electrode 19 is provided with acentral bridge portion 19 b through which the electrode portions 19 aare connected to the bending portions thereof. It is assumed that thecentral bridge portion 19 b is wired in parallel with each of thescanning lines in a state of being patterned to have a predeterminedwidth, and is provided so that all the electrode portions 19 aconstituting the pixel electrode 19 are connected thereto.

In addition, the pixel electrode 19 may be provided with end edgebridges 19 c, for connection of the electrode portions 19 a, which areformed in both end portions of the electrode portions 19 a in theextension direction, respectively. Also, it is assumed that each of theend edge bridges 19 c is wired in parallel with each of the scanninglines 5 in a state of being patterned to have a predetermined width, andis provided so that all the electrode portions 19 a constituting thepixel electrode 19 are connected thereto.

It is noted that as illustrated in FIG. 1, the signal lines 11 arepreferably bent so as to correspond to the electrode portions 19 a,respectively, in terms of an improvement in the aperture ratio. However,when no notice of the aperture ration is taken, each of the signal lines11 may be straightly wired so that a part thereof overlaps thecorresponding one of the pixel electrodes 19.

Also, the alignment film 21 which is shown in only the cross sectionalview of FIG. 2 is formed above the substrate 3 having the pixelelectrodes 19 as described above formed thereabove, thereby structuringthe upper portion of the drive side substrate 3.

On the other hand, a counter electrode 31 which is shown in only thecross sectional view of FIG. 2 is formed on a formation surface side ofthe pixel electrode 19 in the drive side substrate 3 as described above.The counter electrode 31 is made of an optical transparent material. Inaddition, a color filter layer 33 in which color filters are formedevery pixel so as to have a predetermined pattern is provided on asurface of the counter electrode 31 facing the pixel electrode 19. Thealignment film 35 is formed so as to cover the color filter layer 33.Also, a liquid crystal layer LC is held together with a spacer (notshown) between the alignment films 21 and 35 of the two substrates 3 and31.

Also, polarizing plates 41 and 43 are disposed on outer surfaces of thetwo substrates 3 and 31, respectively, thereby structuring the displaydevice 1 a.

An optical structure in such a display device 1 a is as follows.

That is to say, each of liquid crystal molecules “m” constituting theliquid crystal layer LC has a positive or negative dielectricanisotropy. In this case, it is assumed as an example that each of theliquid crystal molecules “m” has the positive dielectric anisotropy.Also, the alignment films 21 and 35 are provided so that when noelectric field is applied across the common electrode 15 and thecorresponding ones of the pixel electrodes 19, the liquid crystalmolecules “m” are disposed so as to be approximately vertical to each ofthe scanning lines 5. In this case, an orientation processing direction(for example, a rubbing direction) becomes approximately vertical toeach of the scanning lines 5.

Also, it is assumed that the two sheets of polarizing plates 41 and 43provided on the outer surfaces of the substrates 3 and 31, respectively,are disposed in a cross nicol manner, and are also provided so that atransmission axis of one of the polarizing plates 41 and 43 is made toagree with the orientation direction of each of the alignment films 21and 35. In this case, as an example, there is shown a state in which thetransmission axis of the polarizing plate 43 on the counter substrate 31side as an emission side (display side) is made to agree with theorientation direction of each of the alignment films 21 and 35.

Note that, it is assumed that although an illustration is omitted here,when the display device 1 a is provided with a touch panel function,light receiving sensors are provided so as to correspond to the pixels“a”, respectively. It is noted that pressure-sensitive sensors may beprovided over the entire surface of the display surface.

The display device 1 a having the structure as described above operatessimilarly to the case of the general liquid crystal display devicehaving the FFS multi-domain structure.

That is to say, in a state in which no voltage is applied across thecommon electrode 15 and the corresponding one of the pixel electrodes19, the axes of the liquid crystal molecules “m” constituting the liquidcrystal layer LC are oriented so as to be vertical to the transmissionaxis of the polarizing plate 41 on the incidence side and so as to beparallel with the transmission axis of the polarizing plate 43 on theemission side. For this reason, the light made incident from thepolarizing plate 41 on the incidence side reaches the polarizing plate43 on the emission side to be absorbed therein without causing a phasedifference in the liquid crystal layer LC, thereby obtaining blackdisplay (that is, normally black display).

On the other hand, in a state in which a voltage is applied across thecommon electrode 15 and the corresponding one of the pixel electrodes 19to provide a potential difference between them, a transverse electricfield is generated so as to be parallel with the drive side substrate 3and so as to be vertical to the extension direction of each of theelectrode portions 19 a of the pixel electrode 19. As a result, theorientation direction of each of the liquid crystal molecules “m” isrotated within a surface parallel with the drive side substrate 3. As aresult, the light made incident from the polarizing plate 41 on theincidence side is optically modulated in the liquid crystal layer LC tobecome a linearly polarized light which rotates by 90°. The polarizingplate 43 on the emission side transmits the linearly polarized light,thereby obtaining white display.

In addition, in such white display, each of the regions, in which eachof the electrode portions 19 a extends in the different directionswithin one pixel “a” has the multi-domain structure in which the liquidcrystal molecules “m” are driven in the different rotational directions.As a result, the display is performed in which the viewing anglecharacteristics (color shift) in the phase of the halftone display orthe white display are improved.

In particular, in the display device 1 a of the first embodiment, thepixel electrode 19 is provided in structure with the central bridgeportion 19 b through which the electrode portions 19 a are connected toone another in the bending portions of the electrode portions 19 a. As aresult, the electric field in the bending portion of each of theelectrode portions 19 a is stabilized in its shape. Thus, it is possibleto stabilize the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules “m”in each of the bending portions in the phase of the white display (inthe case of the normally black display).

For this reason, even when in the phase of the white display describedabove, the reverse twist phenomenon is caused by applying an outsidepressure (such as finger touch) to the display surface of the displaydevice 1 a, the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules “m”constituting the liquid crystal layer LC is easy to return back the morestable original state again in the normally uncontrolled manner.Therefore, the display heterogeneity due to the reverse twist phenomenoncan be solved in the naturally uncontrolled manner.

TABLE 1 shows the results of evaluation for the finger touchheterogeneity between the structure of the first embodiment and therelated art structure described with reference to FIG. 11.

TABLE 1 Evaluation for finger touch heterogeneity First embodimentDisappear approximately for (FIG. 1) about 3 seconds Related art Notdisappear in naturally structure (FIG. 11) uncontrolled manner

In this case, there was measured a time period from release of thepressure of the finger touch after completion of the finger touchagainst the display surface of the display device 1 a to disappearanceof the finger touch heterogeneity in the naturally uncontrolled manner.The first embodiment is different from the related art structuredescribed with reference to FIG. 11 only in that in the case of thestructure of the first embodiment, the central bridge portion 19 b isprovided in each of the pixel electrodes 19, whereas in the related artstructure, the central bridge portion is provided in none of the pixelelectrodes.

As shown in TABLE 1, it was confirmed that the finger touchheterogeneity which is not solved with the related art structure isnaturally solved for about three seconds with the structure of the firstembodiment having the central bridge 19 b provided in each of the pixelelectrodes 19.

As has been described so far, according to the display device 1 a of thefirst embodiment, in the liquid crystal display device 1 a having thetransverse electric field multi-domain structure, it is possible tosolve the display heterogeneity due to the reverse twist phenomenon inthe naturally uncontrolled manner. As a result, it is possible toenhance the display characteristics. In particular, in the liquidcrystal display device provided with the touch panel function, theoutside pressure (such as the finger touch) is applied to the displaysurface of the liquid crystal display device. Therefore, the presentinvention is applied to the liquid crystal display device provided withthe touch panel function, thereby making it possible to continue thedisplay in which the influence by the outside pressure is reduced.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 3A is a schematic top plan view, of a drive substrate side forthree pixels, explaining a structure of a display device according to athird embodiment of the present invention. Also, FIGS. 3B to 3D arerespectively enlarged views of main portions A1, A2 and A3 of a pixelelectrode 19′. However, for the purpose of explaining a characteristicportion of the second embodiment, an illustration of a common electrodeis omitted here.

A display device 1 b of the second embodiment shown in these figures isdifferent from the display device 1 a of the first embodiment describedabove in that the pixel electrode 19′ has a flat surface shape inherenttherein. Other structures of the display device 1 b of the secondembodiment are the same as those of the display device 1 a of the firstembodiment.

That is to say, it is identical to the display device 1 a of the firstembodiment that the pixel electrode 19′ of the second embodimentincludes a plurality of electrode portions 19 a, in one pixel electrode,which are bent approximately at central portions thereof in theextension direction, a central bridge portion 19 b through which theplurality of electrode portions 19 a are connected to one another in thebending portions thereof, and end edge bridge portions 19 c throughwhich the plurality of electrode portions 19 a are connected to oneanother in the both ends thereof in the extension direction.

In such a structure, each of the electrode portions 19 a and the centralbridge portion 19 b thereof are formed to have a flat surface-like shapein which each of the electrode portions 19 a and the central bridgeportion 19 b thereof are connected to each other approximately at rightangles through the casting. That is to say, each of the electrodeportions 19 a and the central bridge portion 19 b thereof are connectedto each other so that each of edge portions of the electrode portions 19a and an edge portion of the central bridge portion 19 b thereof makeapproximately at right angles with each other.

Likewise, each of the electrode portions 19 a and each of the end edgebridge portions 19 c are formed to have a flat surface-like shape inwhich each of the electrode portions 19 a and each of the end edgebridge portions 19 c are connected to each other to make approximatelyat right angles with each other through the casting. That is to say,each of the electrode portions 19 a and each of the end edge bridgeportions 19 c are connected to each other so that each of edge portionsof the end edge portions 19 c and each of edge portions of the electrodeportions 19 a make approximately at right angles with each other.

As a result, each, of space portions S (having a punched pattern),surrounded by the electrode portion 19 a, the central bridge portion 19c and the end edge bridge 19 b is structured to have approximately arectangular flat surface shape.

The display device 1 b having such a structure is the liquid crystaldisplay device having the FFS multi-domain structure similarly to thedisplay device 1 a of the first embodiment.

For this reason, even when in the phase of the white display describedabove, the reverse twist phenomenon is caused by applying an outsidepressure (such as finger touch) to the display surface of the displaydevice 1 b, the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules “m”constituting the liquid crystal layer LC is easy to further return backto the stable original state again in the normally uncontrolled manner.Therefore, the display heterogeneity due to the reverse twist phenomenoncan be more readily solved in the naturally uncontrolled manner.

TABLE 2 shows the results of evaluation for the finger touchheterogeneity between the structure of the second embodiment and therelated art structure described with reference to FIG. 11.

TABLE 2 Evaluation for finger touch heterogeneity First embodimentPerfectly disappear (FIG. 1) approximately for about 3 seconds Relatedart Not disappear in naturally structure (FIG. 11) uncontrolled manner

In this case, there was measured a time period from release of thepressure of the finger touch after completion of the finger touchagainst the display surface of the display device 1 b to disappearanceof the finger touch heterogeneity in the naturally uncontrolled manner.In that in the case of the structure of the second embodiment, thecentral bridge portion 19 b is provided in each of the pixel electrodes19 to define the rectangular space portion S, whereas in the related artstructure, the central bridge portion is provided in none of the pixelelectrodes, and thus the end edge bridge has a given width.

As shown in TABLE 2, it is understood that adoption of the structure ofthe second embodiment in which the central bridge 19 b is provided ineach of the pixel electrodes 19′ to define the rectangular space portionS results in that the finger touch heterogeneity which is not solvedwith the related art structure in the naturally uncontrolled manner canbe improved to a level at which that the finger touch heterogeneitycompletely disappears for about three seconds.

As described above, according to the structure of the second embodiment,the display in which the influence by the outside pressure is furtherreduced can be performed as compared with the case of the firstembodiment.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a schematic top plan view, of a drive substrate side for threepixels, explaining a structure of a display device according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention. However, for the purpose ofexplaining a characteristic portion of the third embodiment, anillustration of a common electrode is omitted here.

A display device 1 c of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4 isdifferent from the display device 1 b of the second embodiment describedabove in that a light shielding pattern 5 a is provided so as to overlapthe central bridge portion 19 b of each of the pixel electrodes 19′.Other structures of the display device 1 c of the third embodiment shownin FIG. 4 are the same as those of the display device 1 b of the secondembodiment.

That is to say, it is assumed that the light shielding pattern 5 a, forexample, is formed in the same process as that for the scanning lines 5,and is disposed in parallel with each of the scanning lines 5. Inaddition, it is by no means limited that the light shielding pattern 5 ais formed on the drive side substrate 3, and thus the light shieldingpattern 5 a may be formed in the form of a black matrix on the countersubstrate side.

In the display device 1 c of the third embodiment, the light shieldingpattern 5 a is disposed so as to overlap the central bridge portion 19b, thereby making it possible to prevent the reduction of the contrast.That is to say, the electric field is not formed in shape so as to bevertical to the extension direction of the electrode portions 19 a inthe vicinity of the central bridge portion 19 b. For this reason, theliquid crystal molecules “m” cannot be normally driven, so that thedisplay contrast is reduced. Therefore, the light shielding pattern 5 ais disposed so as to overlap the central bridge portion 19 b, therebymaking the portion having the central bridge portion 19 b disposedtherein a non-transmitting region. As a result, it is possible toprevent the reduction of the display contrast.

The third embodiment may be combined with the first embodiment. In thiscase, the same effects can be obtained.

It is noted that in the first to third embodiments described above, thedescription has been given with respect to the structure in which thecommon electrode 15 is disposed above the scanning lines 5 and thesignal lines 11. However, the present invention can also be applied tothe display device having the FFS multi-domain structure in which thecommon electrode 15 is provided at the same level as that of each of thescanning lines 5 or each of the signal lines 11. In this case, the sameeffects can be obtained.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the common electrode 15 may be providedat the same level as that of each of the scanning lines 5. In this case,it is assumed that the common electrode 15 made of the transparentconductive material is provided so as to cover as the wide range aspossible within the pixel “a” by performing the patterning. In thiscase, it is assumed that a common wiring 6 through which the commonelectrodes 15 for the pixels “a” are connected to each other may be madeof a material having a more superior electrical conductivity in the sameprocess as that for the scanning lines 5 so as to be wired in parallelwith each of the scanning lines 5.

Application Examples

The display devices, described above, according to the present inventioncan be applied to display devices, of electronic apparatuses in all thefields, in each of which a video signal inputted to the electronicapparatus, or a video signal generated in the electronic apparatus isdisplayed in the form of an image or a video image. These electronicapparatuses are typified by various electronic apparatuses, shown inFIG. 6 to FIGS. 10A to 10G, such as a digital camera, a notebook-sizepersonal computer, mobile terminal equipment such as a mobile phone, anda video camera. Hereinafter, examples of electronic apparatuses to eachof which the present invention is applied will be described.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a television set to which thepresent invention is applied. The television set according to thisapplication example includes an image display screen portion 101composed of a front panel 102, a filter glass 103, and the like. Also,the television set is manufactured by using the display device accordingto the present invention as the image display screen portion 101.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are respectively perspective views showing a digitalcamera to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 7A is aperspective view when the digital camera is viewed from a front side,and FIG. 7B is a perspective view when the digital camera is viewed froma back side. The digital camera according to this application exampleincludes a light emitting portion 111 for flash, a display portion 112,a menu switch 113, a shutter button 114, and the like. The digitalcamera is manufactured by using the display device according to thepresent invention as the display portion 112.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a notebook-size personal computerto which the present invention is applied. The notebook-size personalcomputer according to this application example includes a main body 121,a keyboard 122 which is manipulated when characters or the like areinputted, a display portion 123 for displaying thereon an image, and thelike. The notebook-size personal computer is manufactured by using thedisplay device according to the present invention as the display portion123.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a video camera to which the presentinvention is applied. The video camera according to this applicationexample includes a main body portion 131, a lens 132 which captures animage of a subject and which is provided on a side surface directedforward, a start/stop switch 133 which is manipulated when an image of asubject is captured, a display portion 134, and the like. The videocamera is manufactured by using the display device according to thepresent invention as the display portion 134.

FIGS. 10A to 10G are respectively views showing mobile terminalequipment, for example, a mobile phone to which the present invention isapplied. FIG. 10A is a front view in an open state of the mobile phone,FIG. 10B is a side view in the open state of the mobile phone, FIG. 10Cis a front view in a close state of the mobile phone, FIG. 10D is a leftside view of the mobile phone, FIG. 10E is a right side view of themobile phone, FIG. F is a top plan view of the mobile phone, and FIG.10G is a bottom view of the mobile phone. The mobile phone according tothis application example includes an upper chassis 141, a lower chassis142, a connection portion (a hinge portion in this case) 143, a displayportion 144, a sub-display portion 145, a picture light 146, a camera147, and the like. The mobile phone is manufactured by using the displaydevice according to the present invention as the display portion 144 orthe sub-display portion 145.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. A display device: a pair of opposing substrates; a common electrode carried on one of the substrates; a plurality of pixel electrodes also carried on the one substrate; and a liquid crystal layer between the substrates, wherein each of said pixel electrodes comprises (a) a plurality of electrode portions disposed in parallel with one another, each of the electrode portions having a single bend at approximately a central portion thereof relative to an extension direction thereby imparting a V-shape to each of the electrode portions, (b) respective end edge bridges connecting the electrode portions to one another at respective end portions of the electrode portions, each of the electrode portions having two end portions disposed respectively about the central portion thereof, and the respective end edge bridges connecting the electrode portions to one another at both respective end portions of the electrode portions, and (c) a central bridge portion connecting the electrode portions to one another at the bending portions, the central bridge portion disposed in parallel with the end edge bridges, the central bridge portion having a plurality of lateral edges at which the plurality of electrode portions connect to the central bridge portion, the lateral edges of the central bridge portion being angled relative to a direction along which the central bridge portion extends so that each of the electrode portions connects to a respective lateral edge of the central bridge portion at approximately a right angle.
 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a space portion surrounded by corresponding ones of the electrode portions and the central bridge portion is structured to have approximately a rectangular flat surface shape.
 3. The display device according to claim 1, including a light shielding portion which overlaps the central bridge portion.
 4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the pixel electrodes are positioned on a liquid crystal layer side of the common electrode and an insulating film is positioned between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode.
 5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a sensor portion is provided in each display region in which the pixel electrodes are disposed, respectively.
 6. A pixel electrode for a liquid crystal display device in which the pixel electrode is disposed over a common electrode in an manner insulated therefrom, wherein the pixel electrode comprises: (a) a plurality of electrode portions disposed in parallel with one another, each of the electrode portions having a single bend at approximately a central portion thereof relative to an extension direction thereby imparting a V-shape to each electrode portion; (b) respective end edge bridges connecting the electrode portions to one another at respective end portions of the electrode portions, each of the electrode portions having two end portions disposed respectively about the central portion thereof, and the respective end edge bridges connecting the electrode portions to one another at both respective end portions of the electrode portions; and (c) a central bridge portion connecting the electrode portions to one another at the bending portions, the central bridge portion disposed in parallel to the end edge bridges, the central bridge portion having a plurality of lateral edges at which the plurality of electrode portions connect to the central bridge portion, the lateral edges of the central bridge portion being angled relative to a direction along which the central bridge portion extends so that each of the electrode portions connects to a respective lateral edge of the central bridge portion at approximately a right angle.
 7. The pixel electrode of claim 6, wherein the pixel electrode is sinking comb shaped. 